Melody's POV

"Date card!"

I look up from my bible and throw down my pens and highlighters. Today I decided I needed Jesus in my life. Grace and her minions had been messing with everybody. They said small slick comments in hopes of pissing someone off. Thank goodness they left me alone but still it was pretty annoying to watch them bother everyone else.

Brynn takes off her headphones and pauses her MP3 player. She looks over at me in question.

"Was someone yelling?"

"Yeah it's a date card."

"Oh okay. Let's go."

Today the date card had actually come in later than usual. It was twelve in the morning and everyone had already been up and all around. After a long and torturing two days, we finally receive a date card.

Brynn and I make it downstairs and squeeze past the cameramen in the room. We quickly sit by Scarlett, Mila, and Charlotte.

The red light on the cameras turn on and the producer nods. Caelynn then steps into the living room looking cheerful.

"I got a date card!"

"Woo finally! Let's hear it!" Brynn makes the sign come on as she throws back her head.

"You're so dramatic it's not even funny." I smile making her stick out her tongue.

Caelynn rips open the envelope and slightly frowns but then quickly recovers with her award winning smile.

"Mila... Let's take this date to new heights."

Mila squeals and races over to Caelynn. She takes the card and holds it to her chest then walks back over to us.

"I'm so excited!!"

"I'm so happy for you."

She smiles and gives me a light hug then runs upstairs to get ready.

I know I should be happy for her but now I'm actually kind of getting a tiny bit jealous. I mean out of all my group of friends I thought me and Tyler had the best connection. I guess not. But there's no need to overreact and start worrying. As long as I get a group date I'll be fine.

I sit in the phone booth listening to Loran talk about this cute guy she met at the coffee shop yesterday.

"Mel this was magic. It was like something was pulling us towards each other. He asked me on a date and we're going out tonight!"

I smile sadly missing my best friend, "Aw Lo I'm so happy for you. I hope he's a good guy. If he hurts you I'm going to break his face. You know I can. Levi taught me how."

Loran laughs, "Yes yes I know. But he's great. How are you doing hun?"

"Eh..."

"Uh oh trouble in paradise."

I chuckle then shrug but quickly speak realizing she can't see me, "Maybe I don't know."

"Talk to me."

I can imagine Lo sitting with her legs crossing holding a journal as if she's some kind of counselor.

"So the first night I got the impression rose-"

"Bitch! You got the impression rose and you're just telling me this now?! Are you literally insane?!"

Laughing at my crazy friend I try to calm her down, "Lo calm down. I'm sorry I didn't tell you. But we're not supposed to tell anyone on the outside what happened but of course my sister has to know so she can help me survive in this mad house. Things have been quite crazy here."

"It's okay. That's so amazing Mel! I'm so happy for you... continue."

"So we kissed I don't know about him but I felt sparks. I'm starting to really like him and he called my name first last rose ceremony but I haven't had a one on one with him yet and we've already kissed like three times..."

Silence goes through both lines before I hear a loud shriek coming from my loud best friend.

"Oh my gosh! He likes you!!! I'm so happy for you Mel! Don't be upset this happens all the time. He just has to get to know everyone else. He already is into you obviously. As long as you have a group date I'd say you're fine. Now if it's week six and you don't have a one on one or the best connection with Tyler then I'd say yeah it's time to worry. Aw you guys are gonna have cute little babies!"

Looking at phone with wide eyes I shake my head, "Lo you're insane. It's only week 2."

"Gotta be optimistic Mel!"

"Yeah that's true."

"Mel everything will work out like it's supposed to.  Obviously God led me to tell you about the show and now Tyler is showing signs of liking you. Even if you don't end up with him it shows you how to get out of your shell and never give up. You're showing Nova how to be a fighter. You're showing her how to not give up. She has to take a stand in order to get what she wants."

"Thanks Lo. I miss you so much."

"I miss you too."

We talk for a few more minutes until I see the time clock on the door blink red telling me my time is up.

"I gotta go Lo."

"Okay hun I love you!"

"I love you too."

Sitting in the kitchen playing cards with the girls we finally hear the front door open. Jumping down from our chairs we run to the living room to see Mila walking in with a huge smile on her face.

"How'd it go?!"

"Yeah don't leave out any details."

Scarlett and Charlotte pull Mila to the couch and sit on each side of her. Caelynn stands in front of them and Brynn sits on the table. I stay standing by the kitchen door just in case I need to jet.

Mila blushes as she pulls her legs up on the couch. She lays her chin on her knees and looks at us with dreamy eyes.

"It was amazing! He took me sky falling if that's what it's called. At first I was scared and not sure about going but he talked me through it. We held hands on the way up the elevator and then we got all hooked up in gear. We were on this tall skyscraper and we held hands before we both dropped to the bottom. It was so scary but I felt a little better with him by my side."

We all aw and smile waiting for her to continue.

"Then we went out to dinner. We went to another tall building and had dinner on the rooftop. It was so romantic. He asked about my life and I told him about how my dad died, leaving me and my mom alone. My mom remarried and they had my sister Clementine. He was happy that I trusted him enough to tell him about my story and so he gave me the rose. Then we kissed. It was great. I didn't quite feel the fireworks I was hoping for but they'll come with time."

Everyone chatters away in excitement as Mila continues on but I drown her voice out. I quickly get quietly make myself invisible and jet upstairs. I plop down on my bed with a huff and lay my head in my arms. Tears threaten to fall but I don't let them. It feels like cheating but I know it's not. This is what I signed up for. It's only week two... I can't break yet.

Sighing, I get under my covers then pull them over my head. Suddenly, I hear the door open. Footsteps get closer and closer to me but I don't move or make a sound.

"Mel?"

I know it's Caelynn but I still pretend to be asleep. Hopefully she will go away before I actually do break down. I don't want to but I know it's coming.

"Mel I know you're not asleep."

Dang it.

I push the covers off my face and look at her with a frown.

"Mel... what's wrong?... Wait why'd I ask that?"

"Ugh it's just... it's so hard. Don't get me wrong I'm happy for Mila. I'm freaking ecstatic. It's just I'm scared. Like what if I'm here for nothing. What if I go home before top ten? It's scary how fast I fell for Tyler. I'm not in love but I'm getting there. I miss Nova and I've never been away from her this long but if this is all for nothing then what is it worth?"

"Mel what if it's worth something. You never know what will happen! Don't give up now. I know you miss Nova but she's probably cheering you on as we speak. You want love and you're so close to it. I know I'm supposed to be competing with you but you're my best friend in the house and I don't like seeing you upset."

I nod and say thanks then pull her into a hug. She hugs back instantly then smiles.

"Move over you big baby."

I laugh and move over as she gets under my covers and lays down.

"Everything will go how it's supposed to. And I promise you, it'll all be okay."